In southwest Virginia, the deployment of a world-class broadband backbone by two ARC LDDs has yielded results as new industries are replacing those tied to the declining economic sectors of coal and tobacco. The Cumberland Plateau Planning District Commission (PDC) and the Lenowisco PDC, with significant financial assistance from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) and Virginia Tobacco Commission (VTC) since 2004, have developed regional broadband systems that form the backbone of two high-speed telecommunications networks.

Officials break ground on a fiber optic network in Virginia.

Wireless networks have brought low-cost bandwith to Allegany County Maryland.

Tri-County Council for Western Maryland

In Allegany County, Maryland, the Tri-County Council for Western Maryland and ARC joined forces to create AllCoNet II, which provides wireless telecommunications service to over 90 percent of the business market in Allegany County. AllCoNet II utilizes wireless technology and licensed carrier networks to provide broadband with minimal financial resources and rapid deployment capability. This infrastructure allows local ISPs to market high speed, wide bandwidth to areas in the county that had no prior coverage, now instantly connecting citizens to services and information provided by local and state governments. By aggregating this demand, the project also attracted a tier one provider to locate a point of presence in the county, cutting telecommunications costs to local companies by enormous amounts. AllCoNet II saves customers across the county an estimated $70,000 a month.

Lake Cumberland Area Development District

Recognizing the economic impact of high speed Internet connections, Lake Cumberland Area Development District (KY) is working to ensure that broadband service will be available to all residents by 2010. This will be a major investment, since in one county alone, the estimated cost of developing the broadband infrastructure is $8.6 million, but broadband along with other infrastructure will build a stronger foundation for future economic and cultural development.

Southern Tier Central Regional Planning and Development Board

As a first step, Southern Tier Central Regional Planning and Development Board (STC) conducted a telecommunications study to inventory current service and infrastructure in its three-county region in south central New York. Based on that study, STC has created GIS maps of fiber optic cabling, wireless towers, and provider territories and services and developed site profiles for 10 economic focus sites in each county. Fiber optic cabling has already been installed throughout much of the region, but STC identified disparities between the population centers and rural areas. In 2007, STC staff testified before a committee of the New York State Legislature on the significance of expanding broadband in rural areas.

Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance (NEPA)

Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance (NEPA), in cooperation with six other Pennsylvania LDDs, developed the eCOMMonwealth Project for Rural Broadband Access to research the existing state of broadband in the Commonwealth, examine connectivity technologies, and create models to increase access to broadband. NEPA is currently using this extensive study to determine affordable ways of extending broadband technology to unserviced businesses and residences, in order to enhance economic development activities and assist in investment and
decision making.